Toggle switch



Dec. 30, 1952 LQGE 2,623,958

TOGGLE SWITCH Filed June 27, 1947 26 IN VEN TOR.

2 27 37 3 Byfida/e/JL Joye,

Patented Dec. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOGGLE SWITCH JosephM. Logo, Los Angeles, Calif. Application .l'une 2'7, 1947, Serial No.757,572

2 Claims. 1

My invention relates generally to toggle switches and more particularlyto switches of this type that are adapted to be grouped together so thata large number of switches may be placed in a relatively small space.

In many applications, particularly those where a large number ofcircuits are to be independently controlled, it is desirable to be ableto mount a number of switches together in a small space, while stillbeing able to control an appreciable current directly without the use ofrelays. Certain types of push button switches permit this to be done,but any simple push button switch is of momentary contact type, andgenerally is capable of controlling only a single pair of contacts.

Where a two-position switch is necessary, or where more than a singlepair or" contacts must be operated, the push button type of switch isnot satisfactory. An example of an application requiring a large numberof switches to be grouped together is found in the intercommunicatingsystems used in many oiiices. In such equipment, any one of aconsiderable number of other stations must be instantly selectable ateach of the stations, and it is undesirable that the selecting switch bemanually held in its operating position during the entire period ofoperation. Under such conditions, push button switches are notdesirable.

It is therefore a major object of my invention to provide a switch thatrequires a very small amount of space and therefore is suitable forgroup mounting.

Another object of my invention is to provide a switch of this generaltype adapted to control a plurality of circuits and likewise adapted toremain in either of two predetermined positions.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a switch of this typewhich is characterized as a quick-make, quick-break type of switch.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a switch of this typemaking use of standard and readily available elements whose operatingdependability has been proven over a number or" years.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a switch of thistype that is simply and easily constructed and may be produced at asmall cost.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, andfrom the drawings illustrating that form in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device, herein shown as anintercommunicating station, making use of my improved switch;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view taken from below, showing the method ofgrouping and mounting my improved switches;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the switch and mounting shown inFig. 2, with the switch in a first or open position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the switch in a second orclosed position; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken at 5-5 in Fig. 2 to show themethod of mounting the toggle handles or switch operators.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof,the numeral N! indicates generally a station of an intercommunicatingsystem having a series of individual switches ll operable to connect theparticular station shown to any one of a plurality of other stations(not shown). An escutcheon plate l2 surrounds the projecting handles ofthe individual switches H, and the plate is preferably provided withvarious indicia (not shown) indicating the station controlled by eachswitch. In addition to providing a more finished appearance of thestation [0, the escutcheon plate l2 also serves to cover the attachingscrews which hold the switches l l to the front panel of the station.

One of the particular features of my invention is the fact that theparticular construction of my switch renders it very suitable forgrouping so that a plurality of switches may be mounted in a singleframe and thereafter treated as a unit. While it will be obvious thatany desired number of switches may be combined in a single unit, I havefound that six is a very convenient number, and consequently I havechosen a group of sir: switches to illustrate the preferred embodimentof my invention.

As indicated in Figs. 2 to 5, my improved switch includes a generallyL-shaped frame I3, a plurality of toggle members 14 carried by theframe, and a series of jack-type switch mechanisms [5, each switchmechanism being associated with a corresponding toggle member. Thejack-type switch mechanism l5 has long been known and used in theelectrical and allied arts, and I do not claim this switch element inand of itself as my invention except as it may cooperate and be combinedwith other elements about to be described. Obviously, the particulartype of switches which will be selected for any given application willbe chosen for their uitability to that particular use, and in the formshown, I have illustrated a switch mechanism I5 having a pair of singlepole, single throw switches which cooperate to act as a double polesingle throw switch. It will be obvious, however, that any other desiredcombination of switch contacts may be chosen, this selection beingapparent to one skilled in the art, having regard for the particularapplication of the switch.

The frame I3 preferably consists of a piece of metal of relatively heavygage, having a vertically extending front section I6 adapted to bearagainst the panel of the station It], with a substantially horizontalsection I! extending rearwardly from the lower edge thereof. At the rearedge of the substantially horizontal section If, I provide a lip I3,formed as a continuation of the section II, to which the switches I5 areattached as by screws I9. As indicated, the angle formed by the verticalsection I5 and the rearwardly extending section I! is somewhat less than90 degrees so that the section II extends slightly upwardly from thelower edge of the front portion I6. Likewise, the lip I8 is formed at anangle to the section I? so that the lip extends slightly downwardly,thereby causing the individual switches l5 to be tilted so that theirforward ends extend upwardly. As will hereinafter become apparent, theindividual angles are not critical so long as the various elementscooperate in the proper manner, but I have found that if the generallyhorizontal section I? makes an angle of approximately 80 degrees withthe vertical section It, and if the lip I8 makes an angle ofapproximately 155 degrees with the section ll, very satisfactory resultsare obtained. It will be appreciated, of course, that the terms verticaland horizontal as used herein are for clarity only, and the switch isnot limited to the particular position shown. As indicated in Figs. 3and l, certain of the blades of the switiches I5 are extended forwardlyof their attached contacts, these extending blades being, in effect,operating blades. The lowermost of these operating blades, designated bythe numeral 29, is aligned with its corresponding toggle member orswitch operator I4 so that movement of the latter controls the operationof the blade 26.

The switch operators'or toggle'members I4 are generally formed of aninsulating material such as a molded plastic, and have a forwardlyprojecting handle 22, and a cam-shaped rear surface 2I adapted to bearagainst and move the operating blade 20. Near the junction of the handle22 with the cam-like body of the device, a hole 23 is formed in theswitch operator I4 to receive a horizontal shaft 24 supporting theswitch operators for rotation about a horizontal axis. Openings 25 areformed in the vertical section I6 of the frame I3 to receive the handlesor levers 22, and the horizontal shaft 24' is supported. by theVerticalsection It so that the operating levers are properly alignedtherewith. While various methods of mounting the shaft 2e may beemployed, I have found one of the most satisfactory methodsis to providecars 26 which project rearwardly from the verticalsection I5 adjacentthe openings 25 andformed of the material removed thereby, the earsbeing provided with holes 21 therein to receive the shaft. Thisconstruction is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and it will beappreciated that additional ears 26 may be provided, though normallythis is neither necessary nor desirable.

Toprovide the desired quick-make, quick-break operation" of the switchI5, the cam surface 2| is designed so that it has a low dwell SB and ahigh dwell 3|, separated by a lobe 32. Preferably, the forward end ofthe lowermost operating blade 20 is bent upwardly as at 33 so that thisportion is parallel to and bears against a considerable length of thehigh dwell 3! when the switch contacts are in closed position. This isindicated in Fig. 4, where the lever or handile 22 is shown in itslowermost position. When the handle 22 is raised to its alternateposition, the upwardly formed projection 33 of the operating blade 26rests against the low dwell 35 of the switch operator I I, as indicatedin Fig. 3. To change from one position to the other, it is necessarythat the lobe 32, swinging about the shaft 24 as a center, move theoperating blade 26 above the position shown in Fig. 4, therebyproviding, in effect, an over-center operation which produces thedesired quick-make, quick-break action. It will be realized, of course,that the blades of the switch I5 are of a resilient construction, as iscustomary, and their normal position is substantially that shown in Fig.3. When the lever 22 is moved downwardly to the position shown in Fig.4, the blades are deformed slightly and moved upwardly as shown,exerting a resilient pressure against the high dwell 3I of the switchoperator I 4. The upward movement of the lever 22 is limited by contactof the lower surface of the switch operator It with the horizontalsection II of the frame while the downward movement may be limited bythe contact of the upper surface of the switch operator with thevertical section I6.

To mount the individual groups of switches, I provide holes 35 in thevertically extending portion it of the frame It through which mountingscrews (not shown) may be passed. The holes of course, are located sothat they are not tioned, the heads of shown) are preferably plate I2.

covered by the escutchecn number of groups may be mounted, each groupconsisting of any desired number of switches. While I have shown anddescribed a preferred to said first-mentioned angle, a reverse bendwhereby said lip, said sup porting arm, and said mounting arm cooperateto form a generally Z-shaped member; a plurality of spaced ears stampedfrom said mounting arm and projecting generally perpendicularlytherefrom toward said lip, the plane of said ears being substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said supporting arm, the forming of saidears leaving apertures in said mounting arm, said apertures and saidears being aligned in a direction generally parallel to the plane ofsaid supporting arm; a jack-type switch member mounted on said lip andhaving switch blades extending generally parallel to said lip, and at anangle to said supporting arm, toward said mounting arm, whereby theswitch blade nearest said lip has its free end substantially alignedwith a corresponding one of said apertures in said mounting arm; aunitary switch operator having a lever portion extending through one ofsaid apertures, and having an enlarged portion located on the side ofsaid mounting adjacent said supporting arm, said operator having anaperture passing therethrough in a direction generally parallel to boththe plane of said mounting arm and the plane of said supporting arm,said enlarged portion of said operator being shaped to limit therotation 01" said lever in said aperture, and also being shaped toprovide a cam surface bearing against the free end of said blade of saidswitch aligned with said corresponding aperture, said cam surface havinga low dwell, a high dwell, and a lobe therebetween; and a removableshaft extending generally parallel to both the plane of said mountingarm and the plane of said supporting arm, passing through alignedapertures in said ears and said apertures in said operator to supportsaid operator for rotation about said shaft, the shape and size of saidoperator being such that only removal of said shaft is necessary toeffect the removal of said operator and provide complete access to saidswitch member.

2. A switch of the class described, which includes: a generally L-shapedframe having a mounting arm and a supporting arm extending from one edgeof said mounting arm to form an acute angle therebetween, the projectionof said supporting arm on said mounting arm extending only part wayalong the length thereof; a lip formed on the edge of said supportingarm remote from said mounting arm, said lip forming an obtuse angle withsaid supporting arm, and forming, with respect to said first-mentionedangle, a reverse bend whereby said lip, said supporting arm. and saidmounting arm cooperate to form a generally Z-shaped member; a pluralityof spaced ears stamped from said mounting arm and projecting generallyperpendicularly therefrom toward said lip, the plane of said ears beingsubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said supporting arm, theforming of said ears leaving apertures in said mounting arm, saidapertures and said ears being aligned in a direction generally parallelto the plane of said supporting arm; a plurality of jack-type switchmembers mounted side-by-side on said lip each having switch bladesextending generally parallel to said lip and at an angle to saidsupporting arm, toward said mounting arm, whereby the switch bladesnearest said lip have their free ends substantially aligned withcorresponding apertures in said mounting arm; a plurality of switchoperators each associated and aligned with a corresponding one of saidswitch members, each having a lever portion extending through saidaperture associated with and corresponding to said associated switchmember, and having an enlarged portion located on the side of saidmounting arm adjacent said supporting arm, each said operator having anaperture passing therethrough in a direction generally parallel to boththe plane of said mounting arm and the plane of said supporting arm,said enlarged portions of each of said operators being shaped to limitthe rotation of its lever in said associated aperture, and also beingshaped to provide a cam surface bearing against said free end of saidassociated switch blade, said cam surface having a low dwell, a, highdwell, and a lobe therebetween; and a removable shaft extendinggenerally parallel to both the plane of said mounting arm and the planeof said supporting arm, passing through aligned apertures in said earsand said apertures in said operators to support said operators forrotation about said shaft, the shape and size of said operators beingsuch that only removal of said shaft is necessary to effect the removalof any or all of said operators and provide complete access to saidswitch members.

JOSEPH M. LOGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,008,392 Tiffany Nov. 14, 19111,060,576 Andrick et al May 6, 1915 1,246,210 Woodward Nov. 13, 1917FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 658,035 France July 24, 1928

